Standing amid the farm fields, spectators might see a blur of cyclists for a matter of
seconds.

A new race, taking place on Sunday in an urban neighborhood just across the river from Downtown,
promises a much different experience for competitors and fans.

In the Tour of Franklinton Race and Rally, cyclists will zoom around a closed-street loop course
measuring just eight-tenths of a mile, giving spectators the chance to see racers as many as 30
times.

The criterium race lasts 20 minutes to an hour (depending on the category) and requires cyclists
to plot strategy as they handle tight, crowded turns and speeds that can top 30 mph.

Team SixOneFour — a third-year amateur cycling group — organized the race, a rare event for
those who typically travel outside central Ohio for road races.

The region’s only other criterium, the 18-year Tour de Grandview, involves steep hills that can
attract professionals but scare off others. Tour of Franklinton, with its flat course, encourages
amateurs, juniors and masters older than 40 to enter, too.

“There are a lot of people who ride bikes,” said race organizer Neal Schmitt, “and there are a
lot less who race bikes.”

Encouraging race participation is also the goal of the Ohio Cycling Association, which this year
introduced the Ohio State Criterium Series.

The Tour of Franklinton will kick off the series of seven criterium races, which includes the
Tour de Grandview. Cyclists who enter five of the races will compete for $3,000 and individual race
prizes.

The series is expected to attract more than 300 cyclists and boost entries in all seven races,
said association president Ron Garrett.

Schmitt hopes that the Tour of Franklinton will grow to involve a block-party atmosphere:
Attendees can visit the 400 W. Rich artist studios for food trucks and beverages, while children
can decorate bikes or participate in a 200-meter fun race.

Criterium racing is a good spectator sport, Schmitt said, with cyclists aiming to be close to
the front of the pack without facing additional wind resistance as the leader.

“A lot of it is jockeying for position,” he said. “Good racing is kind of like high-speed
chess."